Ukrainian forces launched a significant attack on a major Russian oil terminal in the Black Sea, prompting a state of emergency, while Moscow retaliated with a massive air assault on Kyiv that killed at least six people and damaged residential buildings.
Escalating Conflict Reaches Critical Infrastructure
The overnight assault on Friday, November 14, 2025, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed his forces used long-range Neptune cruise missiles to strike the Russian port of Novorossiysk, located east of the Crimean Peninsula. Zelenskiy described the action as an "entirely just" response to what he called Russia's "ongoing terror" against civilian targets.
Details of the Dual Attacks
In Novorossiysk, falling drone debris sparked a fire at a depot within Transneft PJSC's Sheskharis oil terminal, according to regional emergency services. The blaze required more than 50 firefighting units to extinguish. While authorities provided no specific damage assessment, the incident prompted Novorossiysk Mayor Andrey Kravchenko to declare a state of emergency.
Simultaneously, Russia launched what its Defense Ministry described as a "massive" strike using drones and precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal missiles. The attack targeted Ukraine's military-industrial complex and energy facilities, part of what appears to be a coordinated effort to cripple the country's energy system as winter approaches.
Human Cost and Economic Impact
The Kyiv assault proved particularly devastating, with at least six confirmed fatalities and dozens wounded, including children and a pregnant woman. Residential buildings sustained significant damage as Ukrainian air defenses worked to intercept incoming projectiles.
President Zelenskiy reported that Russia launched approximately 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic weapons. Ukrainian air defense systems, including Patriot systems provided by international partners, successfully neutralized 14 missiles.
The attack on Novorossiysk's critical energy infrastructure sent shockwaves through global markets. Global benchmark Brent crude spiked as much as 3% in rapid movement toward $65 a barrel before partially retreating, while West Texas Intermediate traded around $60.
Additional infrastructure in the Russian port sustained collateral damage. A container terminal operated by Delo Group was hit by falling debris but continued operations, while Russia's largest grain terminal, also run by Delo Group, was impacted but remained functional according to Interfax news service.
